Chapter 25
“But…” Eliana couldn’t help glancing back toward Theodore’s room, worried that the terrifying monster might suddenly
come out.
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Noticing her unease, Anthony said casually, “You probably haven’t realized—since Theodore lost his sight, he hasn’t stepped out of that room.”
He gave her a quick wink. “So this will be our little secret.”
Eliana thought, ‘Our little secret?‘
Something about the way he said it felt strange. What confused her even more was how Anthony managed to act like such a kind, doting brother when Theodore clearly hated him.
Eliana didn’t quite know how to politely turn down his offer. After thinking for a second, she said, “Mr. Russell, how about you just guide me from the side? I’ll handle the actual cooking.”
Anthony looked at her for a long moment. “Eliana, do you care that much about what Theodore thinks?”
“Yes.” Eliana nodded. She thought, ‘Of course I do. I’m literally counting on taking care of him to cash in later.
“Alright then.” Anthony let out a lazy laugh and stepped aside.
With his guidance, Eliana barely even needed to check Samuel’s recipe. Once she’d finished plating the dish, she couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Russell, how are you so good at this?”
“I picked it up little by little back then, trying to win Theodore over,” Anthony replied.
Eliana froze for a moment. That wasn’t what she expected to hear.
sted
Anthony chuckled again, “Too bad he’s never once my cooking. But tonight, I guess he finally will–through you.”
Eliana, who’d never felt much warmth from family in her life, suddenly didn’t know what to say. She pondered, ‘If everything Anthony just said is true, then he’s kind of pitiful too. Just like me!
Inside the room, Theodore was mid–meal when he suddenly frowned. Eliana had been way too quiet since she got back.
“Eliana?” he called out.
“Yeah?” she replied, but even her response came a beat late.
Theodore pressed his lips together. “What are you thinking about?”
She answered, “Nothing.”
He suddenly felt irritated. If only he could still see, he’d know right away if she was lying.
He set down his plate and utensils, staying completely still as he waited for her to say something.
Sure enough, Eliana got flustered. “You’re done already? There’s still so much left.” And all of it had been paid for with her paycheck.
Theodore smirked as his mood improved, “I can’t finish it on my own. You eat with me.”
Eliana said, “Better not. I should probably go downstairs for a while, or people will say I’m getting too full of myself.”
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12:35 Wed, 11 Jun DO.
Chapter 25
Theodore’s expression darkened. He thought, ‘Right now, I can’t even give her the right to act full of herself.
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‘And she’s just a regular person–she has her own life, her own circles. How could I expect her to hide away in this pitch- black room like I do?‘
As if reading his mind, Eliana suddenly said, “Mr. Russell, how about after dinner, I take you out for a walk?”
If Anthony hadn’t mentioned it, she wouldn’t have even known Theodore hadn’t stepped outside in two years. She thought that was way too extreme.
Theodore remembered what it was like just after he lost his sight–how he’d stumbled around the house, only to be mocked for it. His whole body tensed. The word slipped out before he could stop it. “No.”
Eliana tested the waters. “Aren’t you worried about getting a belly?”
Theodore instinctively reached down to touch his stomach. He usually ate little and threw out most of his food, so there wasn’t really a belly there. But compared to how he used to look at his peak, it was a little disappointing.
Eliana caught the motion and could tell he still had his good–looking–guy pride. So she kept coaxing him gently, “Don’t worry. Come with me. I’ll hold your hand the whole time.”
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